DOHA/RAMALLAH: Palestinian groups including Hamas and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) have welcomed the decisions of three western countries to recognize the state of Palestine.
Hamas lauded a decision by Spain, Ireland, and Norway to recognize a Palestinian state as an “important step” and asked other countries to follow suit.
In a statement, Hamas said that they consider this an important step towards affirming their right to their land. The statement further said that Hamas urged the countries across the world to recognize their legitimate national rights.
Similarly, Hussein al-Sheikh, the secretary general of the Executive Committee of the PLO, has also expressed gratitude after the announcements by the three western nations that they are going to recognize Palestinian statehood.
In a statement via social media, he said, “Historical moments in which the free world triumphs for justice and truth after long decades of Palestinian national struggle, suffering, occupation, pain, racism, murder, abuse, oppression, and destruction to which the people of Palestine were subjected.”
He said that they are thankful the nations of the world that have recognized and will recognize the State of Palestine.
Earlier, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that his nation is going to recognize the state of Palestine on 28 May. He made the announcement during a speech at the parliament on Wednesday. The new development comes as fellow EU member Ireland has also announced to recognize the state of Palestine. The PM of Ireland said that Norway is also going to recognize Palestine. The Irish government stated that the recognition would support a two-state solution and complement peace efforts. The Irish government stated that the prime minister and foreign minister would speak to the media on Wednesday.
Similarly, Malta and Slovenia have hinted in recent weeks that they plan to make the recognition of Palestine, possibly in a coordinated announcement, saying a two-state solution is essential for long term peace in the region. Since 1988, around 139 out of 193 UN member nations have recognized Palestinian statehood.
Gaza Health Ministry said that more than 35,647 people including mostly women and children have been killed in Gaza since October 7. It added that more than 79,852 people wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza.
